N50079

On July 15, 1999, approximately 0830 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N50079, was substantially damaged while landing at the Granville Airport (B01), Granville, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he entered the traffic pattern at B01 and prepared for a landing on Runway 16, a 2,500 ft. long asphalt runway. An extended downwind leg was performed to allow for sufficient spacing between another airplane on the runway. On final approach, full flaps were added and power was reduced to 1,500 rpm. On short final he "appeared a little low" and had a "higher sink rate than he was happy with." Power was added to stop the descent, and about 30 feet short of the runway threshold, the nosewheel of the airplane struck a gravestone, and the underside of the fuselage impacted a monument. The pilot continued the approach, and landed approximately 100 feet down the length of the runway.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the wreckage and determined that the nose gear was sheared off and the underside of the fuselage was torn open from behind the cockpit to the point where the main gear attaches to the fuselage. The main gear was pushed into the fuselage and the empennage was buckled and wrinkled.

The pilot reported 146 hours of total flight experience.